Cessna R172 Hawk XP vs Piper Archer
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Cessna R172 Hawk XP
- For sale now
- 33
- Median asking
- $167,000
- Range
- $101,102–$287,000
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 10
- Source marketplaces
- 5
- Model years available
- 1965–1980
Piper Archer
- For sale now
- 89
- Median asking
- $149,000
- Range
- $71,000–$491,439
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 26
- Source marketplaces
- 13
- Model years available
- 1965–2026
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
Generations Breakdown
Per-generation specs — engine/weight/performance differ materially across production eras.
Per-era “For sale” counts exclude listings with unspecified year and separate variants (RG retractable, Hawk XP), so they may not sum to the total above.
Cessna R172 Hawk XP — 5 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 172 Continental | 1956–1967 | Continental O-300 | 2300 | 118 | 520 | 107 |
| 172 O-320 150hp | 1968–1976 | Lycoming O-320-E2D | 2300 | 120 | 585 | 105 |
| 172 O-320 160hp | 1977–1986 | Lycoming O-320-H2AD/D2J | 2400 | 122 | 585 | 89 |
| 172R | 1996–2007 | IO-360-L2A | 2450 | 120 | 520 | 19 |
| 172S | 1998–now | IO-360-L2A | 2550 | 124 | 518 | 40 |
Piper Archer — 0 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna R172 Hawk XP | Piper Archer |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $101,102 – $287,000 | $71,000 – $491,439 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Cruise Speed | 118–124 kts (230 km/h) | 124 kts (230 km/h) |
| Range | 518–585 nm (1,083 km) | 703 nm (1,302 km) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2300–2,550 lbs (1,157 kg) | 2,550 lbs (1,157 kg) |
Which Should You Buy: Cessna R172 Hawk XP or Piper Archer?
Pick the R172 Hawk XP if…
- Faster cruise — 129 kts vs 124 kts.
Pick the Archer if…
- Budget matters — from $71,000 vs $101,102, you save ~$30,102.
- Longer range — 703 nm vs 569 nm.
- More inventory — 90 listings vs 33.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Cessna R172 Hawk XP or Piper Archer?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The R172 Hawk XP cruises at 129 kts with 569 nm range.
The Archer cruises at 124 kts with 703 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Piper Archer: from $110,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna R172 Hawk XP and Piper Archer?
Cruise: 129 vs 124 kts.
Range: 569 vs 703 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
Variable cost includes fuel, reserves and overhaul accruals. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add to the total.
Which has more seats and useful load?
Useful load = max gross weight minus empty weight; it determines how much fuel plus payload you can carry.
How does maintenance compare — TBO and overhaul cost?
Reaching the time-between-overhaul (TBO) triggers a mandatory engine/airframe rebuild that affects resale value.
Disclaimer: All prices and cost estimates are from third-party sources for informational purposes only. Always obtain professional appraisal and inspection before purchase.
Prices updated daily · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data